A connector for use in vacuum system is configured to fluidly connect a first opening formed in a first vacuum chamber to a second opening formed in a second vacuum chamber, the first opening of the first vacuum chamber being provided within the second vacuum chamber. The connector comprises a tube and a biasing O-ring. The tube has an outer wall to define a fluid flow path between first and second ends of the tube. Towards the first end, a sealing portion of the outer wall of the tube is provided. Towards the second end, an O-ring retaining point is provided along the tube spaced apart from the second end of the tube. The biasing O-ring is provided around and tensioned by the outer wall of the tube. The biasing O-ring is moveable along the axial direction between the O-ring retaining point and a sealing position where it seals the connector.

A connector for use in vacuum system is configured to fluidly connect a first opening formed in a first vacuum chamber to a second opening formed in a second vacuum chamber, the first opening of the first vacuum chamber being provided within the second vacuum chamber. The connector comprises a tube and a biasing O-ring. The tube has an outer wall to define a fluid flow path between first and second ends of the tube. Towards the first end, a sealing portion of the outer wall of the tube is provided. Towards the second end, an O-ring retaining point is provided along the tube spaced apart from the second end of the tube. The biasing O-ring is provided around and tensioned by the outer wall of the tube. The biasing O-ring is moveable along the axial direction between the O-ring retaining point and a sealing position where it seals the connector.

A gasket includes a base extending circumferentially about a gasket axis, a central flange, a first arm, and a second arm. The first arm includes a first arm portion extending from the gasket base to a first radial axis and a second arm portion defining a first surface at a first angle and a second surface at a second angle, the second angle greater than the first angle. The second arm includes a third arm portion extending from the gasket base to a second radial axis that is perpendicular to the gasket axis and a fourth arm portion defining a third surface at a third angle and a fourth surface at a fourth angle, the fourth angle greater than the first angle, the fourth surface further from the third arm portion than the third surface.

A fluid coupling has a first part (100) sealed to a sealing surface of a second part (200), wherein the first part carries a sealing part (300) and the second part includes a gap (G) in the sealing surface, across which the sealing part is arranged to transition. A vent (210) is provided between the sealing surface and the gap. An aperture to the vent on the sealing surface is relatively small so that fluid pressure does not act to deform the seal as it crosses said aperture. Said aperture is spaced off-set from the gap on the sealing surface. The off-set provides a portion of sealing surface adjacent the gap and between the gap and aperture against which the seal can contact. The vent acts to allow fluid (400) to enter the gap before the seal starts to cross the gap and to therefore act to equalise pressure on either side of the seal. Consequently, as the seal transitions across the gap and the sealing between two parts is lost, the fluid pressure imbalance that would otherwise act to deform the seal into the gap has been reduced. The risk of seal damage during the transition has also therefore been reduced.

A connection system for fluid conduction having a male connection end (2), a female connection end (3) and a retaining element (4). The male connection end (2) having a retaining groove (21) which makes up a first recess (22). The female connection end (3) having a retaining hole (31) which makes up a second recess (32) facing the first recess (22). The retaining element (4) is designed to be inserted through the retaining hole (31) and be housed between the first recess (22) and the second recess (32) to keep the male connection end (2) attached to the female connection end (3) when both ends (2, 3) are connected. The connection system (1) has a gasket (5) placed between the male connection end (2) and the female connection end (3), configured to hinder relative movements of said ends (2, 3) when connected along an axial direction (X).

A connection system for fluid conduction having a male connection end (2), a female connection end (3) and a retaining element (4). The male connection end (2) having a retaining groove (21) which makes up a first recess (22). The female connection end (3) having a retaining hole (31) which makes up a second recess (32) facing the first recess (22). The retaining element (4) is designed to be inserted through the retaining hole (31) and be housed between the first recess (22) and the second recess (32) to keep the male connection end (2) attached to the female connection end (3) when both ends (2, 3) are connected. The connection system (1) has a gasket (5) placed between the male connection end (2) and the female connection end (3), configured to hinder relative movements of said ends (2, 3) when connected along an axial direction (X).

A connector for use in vacuum system is configured to fluidly connect a first opening formed in a first vacuum chamber to a second opening formed in a second vacuum chamber, the first opening of the first vacuum chamber being provided within the second vacuum chamber. The connector comprises a tube and a biasing O-ring. The tube has an outer wall to define a fluid flow path between first and second ends of the tube. Towards the first end, a sealing portion of the outer wall of the tube is provided. Towards the second end, an O-ring retaining point is provided along the tube spaced apart from the second end of the tube. The biasing O-ring is provided around and tensioned by the outer wall of the tube. The biasing O-ring is moveable along the axial direction between the O-ring retaining point and a sealing position where it seals the connector.

A connector for use in vacuum system is configured to fluidly connect a first opening formed in a first vacuum chamber to a second opening formed in a second vacuum chamber, the first opening of the first vacuum chamber being provided within the second vacuum chamber. The connector comprises a tube and a biasing O-ring. The tube has an outer wall to define a fluid flow path between first and second ends of the tube. Towards the first end, a sealing portion of the outer wall of the tube is provided. Towards the second end, an O-ring retaining point is provided along the tube spaced apart from the second end of the tube. The biasing O-ring is provided around and tensioned by the outer wall of the tube. The biasing O-ring is moveable along the axial direction between the O-ring retaining point and a sealing position where it seals the connector.

A fluid coupling has a first part (100) sealed to a sealing surface of a second part (200), wherein the first part carries a sealing part (300) and the second part includes a gap (G) in the sealing surface, across which the sealing part is arranged to transition. A vent (210) is provided between the sealing surface and the gap. An aperture to the vent on the sealing surface is relatively small so that fluid pressure does not act to deform the seal as it crosses said aperture. Said aperture is spaced off-set from the gap on the sealing surface. The off-set provides a portion of sealing surface adjacent the gap and between the gap and aperture against which the seal can contact. The vent acts to allow fluid (400) to enter the gap before the seal starts to cross the gap and to therefore act to equalise pressure on either side of the seal. Consequently, as the seal transitions across the gap and the sealing between two parts is lost, the fluid pressure imbalance that would otherwise act to deform the seal into the gap has been reduced. The risk of seal damage during the transition has also therefore been reduced.

A connection system for fluid conduction having a male connection end (2), a female connection end (3) and a retaining element (4). The male connection end (2) having a retaining groove (21) which makes up a first recess (22). The female connection end (3) having a retaining hole (31) which makes up a second recess (32) facing the first recess (22). The retaining element (4) is designed to be inserted through the retaining hole (31) and be housed between the first recess (22) and the second recess (32) to keep the male connection end (2) attached to the female connection end (3) when both ends (2, 3) are connected. The connection system (1) has a gasket (5) placed between the male connection end (2) and the female connection end (3), configured to hinder relative movements of said ends (2, 3) when connected along an axial direction (X).